"We should probably warn you…Zecora is a bit…different." Rarity says to Rage. "Just don't act too freaked out and you'll be fine."
"You really think Zecora will help?" The crimson Alicorn asks as they cross over a fallen tree that was in the path. "I mean…I've never met them…but I have heard stories…"
"She'll help. Zecora knows us. Once she learns what's wrong she'll help." Rainbow Dash says "There's no potion she can't make!"
The six make it to a small hut within the Everfree Forest and the others push Rage to the front. He looked at them with a glare. They ushered him to knock. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
He raised a hoof and knocked on the door which vibrated with a loud and firm knocking sound. A few moments go by before the door opens.
Rage was awestruck by the pony in front of him. A zebra. He had never seen Zecora so it took him by surprise. She looked at Rage and the others. Her wary frown turned to a friendly smile as she glanced at the mares.
"Ah, welcome friends of Twilight." She says inviting them in. "What brings you here this night?" The six enter and Zecora looks Rage over. "You are new to me." She says "Who might you be?"
"My name is Burning Rage." He replies. "It's nice to meet you."
"Zecora is my name." She says walking over to her large cauldron "Potion brewing is my claim to fame."
"Zecora, we…came to ask a favor." Rarity says. "Will you hear us out?" The zebra nodded. Rarity then looked at Rage and nudged him.
"Oh, right." He says as he holds the paper with the recipe on it out. "Zecora…Princess Twilight is in trouble and we need help curing her." He says as the zebra takes the paper in her mouth.
She walked over to a desk and placed it down reading it. "I will try my best." She says "But this will be quite a test."
"I know." Rage says with a look of disdain. "But this is Twilight's only hope."
Zecora nods "Many of these ingredients are unknown to me." She admits "But your demeanor says they are not to thee."
Rage nods. "Some of the ingredients I know where to get or how to get them. The big ones are the Mana Powder and Kingsblossum. We're stumped on that." He answers.
"Deep in the Everfree where Nightmare Moon met her doom. In the place the flowers bloom. Four points of red and blue the Kingsblossum waits for you." Zecora says. "For the powder mana you desire. A crystal from the Crystal Empire."
"Great." Rainbow Dash sighs. "The whole place is made of crystal! Anything more specific?"
"Near the royal palace you should try. Find a unicorn who can fly." She says.
"That narrows it down." Rarity nods. "I can get the Opal and Onyx."
"I'll go get the Kingsblossum." Rainbow Dash says.
"Leave Spike to Fluttershy and I." Applejack says. "I am sure we can get something figured out."
"Yeah…and I'll be sure to bring some flaxseed back too." Fluttershy says with a smile.
"I'll stay here and help Zecore prepare everything." Pinkie Pie cheers.
"I guess that means I'll be off to the Crystal Empire." Rage says. "I'll also take care of the remaining ingredients. I can grab some nightshade from Angel Island with no problem."
"We'll all meet back here once we're done then." Rarity says as they all begin to leave. Before Rage could, Zecora puts a hoof on his shoulder stopping him.
Rage turned around and looked at her. "Is there something else?" He asks.
"The path you walk is one full of hardships." She says softly "Rage, you must trust in your new friendships."
Rage looked at Zecora and smiled. "I do." He says "Thank you."
"Do not thank me too soon." She chuckled "Not with so much to do before the setting of the moon."
Rage nodded before he walked out of the hut. He started his way back to Ponyville. The glow of the moon pierced the treetops. As the moon peaked Rage stopped in his tracks and shivered. He felt a powerful darkness in the distance towards Canterlot.
"Don't worry Twilight…we won't let you down." He says aloud. "Just hang in there."
The crimson alicorn continued down the pathway and after a while Blade appeared next to him. "Rage, you seem pretty confident in yourself. Do you have a solution for the demon blood?" The spiritual dragon asks.
"I have an idea." Rage answers. "I am sure it will work. I'm more worried about getting the Mana Powder…"
"Do you have an idea for getting demon blood?" Blade asks, raising an eye in curiosity "Do tell."
"You'll see." Rage says with a smile as they reach the edge of the forest. "You'll see in the morning." He says as they continue to the Palace of Friendship.
"You're not leaving tonight? The Crystal Empire is a long trip." Blade says surprised.
"Yes but not so much when you can teleport." Rage shrugs. "I'll use Chaos Control."
"You think that's a good idea?" Blade asks "An alicorn just appearing out of nowhere?"
"It's not like I am a stranger to Cadence or Shining Armor." Rage sighs rolling his eyes.
"They're not who I'm worried about. The Crystal Ponies may not know any better and next thing you know you're being called a prince." Blade reminds him. "Lest I remind you what Celestia says."
"I am fully aware of that Blade." Rage grumps. "…if it means saving Twilight then much to my own personal objections of being referred to as such…I will accept the risk."
Blade looked at him and went silent. The dragon smiled softly. 'You've grown so much young Rage. Before you met these ponies here you'd have put such feelings before the needs of others.' He thinks. 'Chaos would be proud to see you.'
"You good there?" Rage asks, looking at Blade. "You're oddly silent for me doing something you see as too risky."
Blade smiled and gave a soft chuckle. "Your mind is made up, Rage. I know there's no talking you out of it now." He answers.
Rage gives him a smirk as he reaches the door of The Palace of Friendship. "Yeah. It's pretty easy to make your mind up when those you care about are on the line." He comments as he opens the door.
"You know, I think if Chaos saw you, he'd be proud of who you've become." The spirit dragon compliments him as they enter.
"Twilight!" Spike's voice echoed down the hall as the baby dragon came sprinting at full speed to Rage. Blade was quick to vanish once he heard Spike's footsteps rapidly approaching them. Once Spike realized who it was though he stopped and looked at Rage distraught. "Oh…Hey Rage…" Spike says. "You haven't seen Twilight have you? She's been gone for two whole days and I haven't heard from her. Usually she says something if she's going to be out for more than a day."
"Wait…you haven't heard…?" Rage asks, his face washing over with worry.
"Heard what?" Spike asks as his eyes widen in anticipation.
"Spike…Twilight…" Rage paused and tried to think of how to explain it to the baby dragon. "Come on." He sighs as he leads Spike to the room with all of the thrones for Twilight and her friends. "You might want to sit." Rage instructs him.
Spike could tell by Rage's tone that whatever was going on, it wasn't good. He sat down and looked at Rage with fear and worry beginning to take over. "Rage…what's going on?" Spike asks nervously.
"There's no easy way to explain all of this so I'll just be blunt." Rage says "Wait here a second." he orders as he walks out of the room.
Spike sat waiting. He was getting more nervous by the second. Rage was only gone for barely even two minutes but Spike felt like it was an eternity. Rage came back with a spellbook in a magical grip. "Let's see…" the crimson Alicorn says as he flips through the pages. "Ah-ha!" He exclaims.
Spike looks at Rage, his anticipation overwhelming him. He felt ready to explode but that all vanished when a magical distortion appeared and displayed a view of the dungeon cell that Twilight was in. Or rather, that Midnight Sparkle was currently in.
She was casting spell after spell at it and trying to get out. She was unrelenting and just kept trying. "Twilight…" Spike says with his mouth agape in shock. "Rage…what's wrong with her?!" He exclaims. "She looks like…" the baby dragon paused and couldn't bring himself to speak the name.
"Midnight Sparkle." Rage says, his own voice full of sadness. "Twilight was…infected…" he explains. "Every night she becomes this and if we don't cure her soon…she'll stay like this forever."
"You'll cure her through right?" Spike asks "I mean, you're a master at this kinda stuff right?"
"We're going to do everything we can. I have to go to The Crystal Empire tomorrow to try and find one of the things I need…" the crimson Alicorn answers. "But…I'll need your help too."
"What can I do?" Spike asks immediately.
"The only way to cure her is with a potion…that potion asks for Dragon's blood…" Rage answered. Spike felt himself shiver at the thought of having a needle stuck into him for his blood. However if it was to help Twilight? He could do it for her. He nodded fervently at Rage showing he was ready to help.
"Anything for Twilight." Spike says "She's done so much for me, I can't even begin to think how else I could possibly repay her. Even if it's just a little bit."
"You and me both…" Rage says with a small frown. This was followed by a period of silence until Rage broke it. "I'm going to bed. I'll be off early. Applejack and Fluttershy should be by tomorrow to see you."
"Alright. Stay safe Rage." Spike says as the crimson Alicorn retired to his room for the night.